PhilR
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2022
- Messages
- 166
- Reaction score
- 812
- Points
- 93
- Location
- Somerset
- Favourite Fishing
- Boat
What better way to celebrate the Summer Solstice than with a session on the shingle.
So I pitched-up on my local beach to see what was about. There was a chance for some new additions to my species hunt.
I had fresh ragworm plus squid and prawns, so twin flattie rods were set-up, each with a two-hook flapper, and launched as far as that set-up would allow, about 60 yards.
Picking up fresh ragworm meant that I needed to be in Weymouth tackle shop before it closed, so I was fishing by 17:00 and it wasn't going to get dark for quite a long time! This could be a problem on a beach which fishes best after dark.
Three hours passed with only the gentle nodding of the small surf moving the rod tips. Baits were coming back in a pristine state, no crabs, no sign of any life out there. Nothing continued to happen for a couple more hours until finally one rod slammed over. One of those bites that nearly drags the rod in but never connects.
I fished with renewed vigour as at last it was beginning to get dark.
The rod tips started to indicate some life out there, not the rattles of pout but solid pulls of good fish.
By about 23:00 I was desperate to avoid the blank when the left hand rod was away and I connected.
In came a small-eyed ray and very welcome too, as this was species 27.
I had decided to pack up at midnight come what may. High tide had passed and it was starting to ebb. So a last cast went out and another cracking bite resulted in a nice sole. Species 28. Well pleased. And with that I decided enough was enough as Morpheus was calling.
I think I will concentrate on the daylight species now, until later in the year.
Tight lines and thanks for reading.
Phil
So I pitched-up on my local beach to see what was about. There was a chance for some new additions to my species hunt.
I had fresh ragworm plus squid and prawns, so twin flattie rods were set-up, each with a two-hook flapper, and launched as far as that set-up would allow, about 60 yards.
Picking up fresh ragworm meant that I needed to be in Weymouth tackle shop before it closed, so I was fishing by 17:00 and it wasn't going to get dark for quite a long time! This could be a problem on a beach which fishes best after dark.
Three hours passed with only the gentle nodding of the small surf moving the rod tips. Baits were coming back in a pristine state, no crabs, no sign of any life out there. Nothing continued to happen for a couple more hours until finally one rod slammed over. One of those bites that nearly drags the rod in but never connects.
I fished with renewed vigour as at last it was beginning to get dark.
The rod tips started to indicate some life out there, not the rattles of pout but solid pulls of good fish.
By about 23:00 I was desperate to avoid the blank when the left hand rod was away and I connected.
In came a small-eyed ray and very welcome too, as this was species 27.
I had decided to pack up at midnight come what may. High tide had passed and it was starting to ebb. So a last cast went out and another cracking bite resulted in a nice sole. Species 28. Well pleased. And with that I decided enough was enough as Morpheus was calling.
I think I will concentrate on the daylight species now, until later in the year.
Tight lines and thanks for reading.
Phil
